Turkey won't like this: Greece deepens ties with Israel
Greece clarifies that its security cooperation with Israel will continue and expand, despite pressure from Turkey. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stated in an interview that Athens will not determine its alliances based on the wishes of other countries, and emphasized Israel's high-level security expertise. He confirmed a significant escalation with Turkey but downplayed fears of an immediate military confrontation.
Greece clarifies that its security cooperation with Israel will continue and even expand, despite growing pressure from Turkey. In an interview he gave, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis emphasized that Israel possesses very high-level security expertise, and that cooperation between the two countries has greatly developed. When asked if relations would continue to deepen despite the severe tensions between Israel and Turkey, he replied firmly: "The only thing that is certain is that we will not determine our international alliances based on the wishes of other countries. You can forget about that." According to him, "power is created from strong alliances, a strong economy, and strong defense." Gerapetritis stressed that the connection with Israel does not come at the expense of Athens' relations with Arab countries, and noted that Greece simultaneously has the right and ability to conduct a real strategic dialogue with the entire Arab world. According to him, Greece's relations with the Gulf states are better than ever, and the country also has strong ties with Egypt, India, the United States, and the European Union. A large part of the interview was devoted to the renewed deterioration in relations with Turkey. Gerapetritis confirmed that in recent times there has been a "significant escalation" in Ankara's positions, and that Athens has already updated the European Union institutions and the foreign ministers of the member states. He warned that in the event of further deterioration, Greece may ask its allies for "practical solidarity." However, he tried to downplay fears of an immediate military confrontation, saying that communication channels between Athens and Ankara are still open, but "we have the power to deal with anything." Gerapetritis set clear red lines vis-à-vis Ankara: Greece "will never discuss issues concerning its sovereignty," including Turkish demands regarding "gray areas" in the Aegean Sea and the demilitarization of Greek islands. He attacked the Turkish "Blue Homeland" doctrine, calling it "a baseless and expansionist theory," and stated that "the era of passive coping with Turkish demands has passed without return."